Who Is Getting Our Praise?

Psalms 148:11-13 Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and virgins; old men and children. Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for His Name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven.

Who, or what, is getting our praise? Today's Psalm is interesting in that it is simply a command to praise. My question to each of us is this, "Who are we to praise, and who is commanded to do the praising?" This is actually a very simple question with a very simple answer. First, it is the Lord and His Name that is the object of praise. That's simple enough. Next, all of God's creation is commanded to praise. In other words, we and all that has life is called to praise and worship our Creator, the one and only true God. Yet, how often do we praise and worship people, material possessions, and even created beings, such as angels? When we accomplish certain things in life, we praise our own talents and abilities, forgetting where those talents and abilities came from. We worship our bank accounts and the wealth that we have gained, and boast about how we gathered it all, but quickly forget that God gave us the health, strength, and ability to gain those things. We praise and worship angels, who are assigned to minister to us and have no desire to be worshipped (Revelation 22:9), and we rob the Lord of the praise and worship that rightfully belongs to Him. There is nothing that we accomplish, that is praiseworthy, that we can take full credit for and boast about. The bottom line is that no one and nothing should ever be the object of our praise and worship. All praise, honor, and glory, belongs to the Creator of the universe, our Lord and Savior, the King of kings and Lord of lords. So this I ask again, "Who, or what, is getting our praise?" If it is anyone or anything other than the Lord, then I say as the psalmist said in verse 13, "Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven."

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).